LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Several inches of rain may fall in parts of Arkansas and a large part of the eastern half of the state is likely to see wind and hail damage from an approaching storm system, forecasters said Monday.

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., said there is a moderate risk Tuesday of severe storms in the south-central, southeast and eastern parts of Arkansas.

National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Smith in North Little Rock said the greatest threat would be from straight-line winds but that isolated tornadoes are a possibility.

"That threat is definitely there," Smith said.

As of Monday, the United States hasn't had a tornado-caused fatality in 217 days, the longest stretch since 1950, according to the weather service.

Smith said 2 inches to 3 inches of rain could fall in isolated areas, with 1 inch to 2 inches common across the state.

"That's a lot of moisture for this time of year," Smith said.

The anticipated rainfall will help farmers and aid the state in overcoming a prolonged drought. Of the state's regions, northwest Arkansas has had the least amount of rain in the last year.

Though the main threat is in central and east Arkansas, the entire state faces at least a slight risk of severe weather on Tuesday.

Warm and moist air has been blowing north from the Gulf of Mexico the past two days. A cold front is moving from the west and the storms are predicted to form when the systems collide.

The rough weather is forecast to begin in the afternoon and continue into the evening as the cold front tracks to the east, Smith said.

The state has gotten significant precipitation in recent weeks, including the 10 inches of snow that fell in central Arkansas on Christmas Day. That caused massive power outages and left many damaged trees. Smith said it's possible that the weakened timber could cause damage during Tuesday's storms.